FDA Animal Food Facility Registration

Under Section 415 of the FD&C Act, as amended by FSMA, domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold animal food for U.S. consumption must register with FDA. LMG handles complete animal food facility registration and biennial renewal.

Section 415 FD&C ActFSMA CompliantBiennial Renewal21 CFR Part 507

Who Must Register?

Registration is required under Section 415 of the FD&C Act and FSMA for any domestic or foreign facility that manufactures, processes, packs, or holds animal food for consumption in the United States. Foreign facilities must register before their products can enter the country.

Registration Required

Pet food manufacturers (dog food, cat food, bird food, fish food)
Livestock and poultry feed facilities
Animal feed ingredient and premix manufacturers
Animal food additive facilities
Treats, chews, and raw pet food facilities
Aquaculture feed manufacturers

Generally Exempt

Farms that grow or raise food animals and pack or hold raw agricultural commodities
Fishing vessels that do not process fish
Facilities regulated exclusively under the Federal Meat, Poultry Products, or Egg Products Inspection Acts
Retail food establishments that sell animal food directly to consumers

If you are uncertain whether your facility qualifies for an exemption, LMG can assess your situation before you invest in registration.

What Is Animal Food Under FDA Regulations?

Animal food is defined broadly under FDA regulations. It includes any article intended for use as food for animals other than man, including pet food, livestock feed, poultry feed, aquaculture feed, and any feed ingredients, premixes, or additives used in producing such products. The same registration framework that applies to human food facilities under Section 415 of the FD&C Act applies equally to animal food facilities.

Every 2 yrsRenewal Cycle

Oct–DecEven Years Only

$0FDA Govt Fee

21 CFR 507Preventive Controls

DUNS / UFIRequired to Register

US AgentForeign Facility

FSMA Requirements for Animal Food Facilities

Beyond registration, FSMA introduced the Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule (21 CFR Part 507), which requires registered animal food facilities to implement a written food safety plan. This plan must include:

A hazard analysis identifying known or reasonably foreseeable biological, chemical, and physical hazards
Preventive controls to significantly minimize or prevent identified hazards
Monitoring procedures for the preventive controls
Corrective action procedures
Verification activities to confirm preventive controls are effective
A recall plan for situations where a hazard may have occurred

Animal food facilities must also comply with Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) requirements under 21 CFR Part 507, Subpart B, which cover personnel, plant and grounds, sanitation, water supply, equipment and utensils, and production and process controls.

Registration Requirements & Key Rules

What FDA requires to register and maintain an animal food facility registration.

Required Registration Information

Facility name, address, and contact information; emergency contact information; name of the owner, operator, or agent in charge; all trade names the facility uses; applicable food product categories manufactured, processed, packed, or held; a statement that the FDA will be permitted to inspect the facility; and a Unique Facility Identifier (UFI) — currently the DUNS number issued by Dun & Bradstreet. There is no FDA fee for animal food facility registration or renewal.

Biennial Renewal

Registration must be renewed every two years during the renewal window of October 1 to December 31 of each even-numbered year (for example, 2026, then 2028, and so on). Registration is submitted and renewed electronically through the FDA Industry Systems (FIS) account. If a facility’s registration is not renewed by December 31 of the renewal year, the FDA considers the registration expired — which can result in shipment detention at the U.S. port of entry.

U.S. FDA Agent Requirement for Foreign Facilities

Every foreign animal food facility must designate a U.S. FDA Agent at the time of registration. The U.S. Agent must live or maintain a place of business in the United States and be physically present in the United States, serving as the official point of communication between the foreign facility and the FDA. Registration cannot be completed without a confirmed U.S. Agent appointment. LMG can serve as your U.S. FDA Agent, handling all FDA communications on your behalf.

Registration vs. FDA Approval

FDA animal food facility registration is a notification requirement — it tells the FDA that your facility exists and is subject to inspection. Registration does not constitute FDA approval, endorsement, or certification of your facility or its products. Any representation that creates an impression of official approval because of registration is misleading and may constitute misbranding.

Consequences of Not Registering

Products from an unregistered facility may be considered misbranded under the FD&C Act, and products from unregistered foreign facilities will be refused entry at U.S. ports of entry. The FDA may administratively detain animal food believed to be in violation of the FD&C Act, and has the authority to suspend a facility’s registration if there is a reasonable probability that animal food manufactured at the facility could cause serious adverse health consequences.

How LMG Can Help

Complete FDA animal food facility registration services for both domestic and foreign facilities.

Initial Facility Registration

Complete FDA animal food facility registration for pet food, feed, ingredient, premix, and additive facilities.

Biennial Renewal

We track and complete your registration renewal during the October–December window of even-numbered years.

U.S. FDA Agent Service

LMG serves as your official U.S. Agent, handling all FDA communications for foreign facilities.

LMG FDARegWatch Monitoring

Complimentary monitoring that proactively tracks your registration status and alerts you before a lapsed registration disrupts your shipments.

FSMA Preventive Controls Guidance

Guidance on Preventive Controls for Animal Food (21 CFR Part 507) compliance — food safety plans and CGMPs.

Free Registration Certificate

Free registration certificate (PDF) after completing registration — verifiable by importers and customs brokers.

Complete Our Online Form to Register Your Animal Food Facility

Animal Food Facility Registration — FAQs

Common questions about FDA animal food facility registration.

Does pet food require FDA registration?

Yes. Facilities that manufacture, process, pack, or hold pet food — including dog food, cat food, treats, and chews — for distribution in the United States must register with the FDA under Section 415 of the FD&C Act.

Is animal food registration the same as human food registration?

The same registration framework under Section 415 of the FD&C Act applies to both human and animal food facilities. Both use the same FDA Industry Systems (FIS) account and the same biennial renewal schedule.

Does a farm that produces animal feed need to register?

Farms that grow or raise food animals and that pack or hold raw agricultural commodities are generally exempt. However, facilities that manufacture or process animal feed ingredients or premixes beyond raw agricultural commodities typically must register.

Is there a fee for animal food facility registration?

No. There is no FDA fee for animal food facility registration or biennial renewal.

Does a foreign animal food facility need a U.S. Agent?

Yes. All foreign animal food facilities must designate a U.S. FDA Agent before registration can be completed. The FDA contacts the U.S. Agent to confirm the appointment and uses the U.S. Agent for all official communications with the facility.

What happens if I miss the biennial renewal deadline?

If renewal is not completed by December 31 of the even-numbered renewal year, the FDA considers the registration expired. Shipments from expired foreign registrations may be detained or refused at U.S. ports of entry.

Does FDA registration mean my animal food is approved by the FDA?

No. Registration is a notification requirement, not an approval or endorsement of your facility or products.